Sergio Aguero has expressed his relief at seeing Lionel Messi back from injury for Argentina after a troubled start to their South American 2018 World Cup qualifiers without their best player.

Argentina, who unveiled their new home shirt after the squad had completed a first training session ahead of games against Chile in Santiago on Thursday and at home to Bolivia five days later, will hope to pick up maximum points with the Barcelona star back in the fold.

Messi missed the first four rounds last year and Argentina, 2014 World Cup finalists in Brazil, got only five points after a defeat by Ecuador, draws with Paraguay and Brazil and a win over Colombia, leaving them sixth in the 10-nation group.

Sergio Aguero (right) is relieved that Lionel Messi is back fro injury for the games against Chile and Bolivia

The Manchester City ace will aim to rekindle his relationship on the pitch with Messi in the World Cup qualifiers

Messi jokes with Ageuro and his Argentina team-mates in the first training session of the international break

'It's total relief to play with Messi,' Aguero said on his arrival in Buenos Aires from Manchester.

'Leo is always important for us and it's obvious we're happy when he's here because it's really nice to play with him,' Aguero said after flying in with Manchester City team mate Pablo Zabaleta and Manchester United's Marcos Rojo.

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Aguero said he was shocked by pictures showing the state of the pitch at the Mario Kempes stadium in Cordoba, where Argentina will host Bolivia, after it was damaged by recent rock concerts, including an Iron Maiden gig.

Groundsmen are working against the clock to get the pitch into shape although the Argentine FA's (AFA) decision to take the team around the country rather than play all home matches at River Plate stadium in the capital was made over a month ago.

'When you see that you are shocked because we're not accustomed to it. We'll have to see how it is and think we're playing in the juniors,' Aguero said.

Argentina unveiled their new home shirt on Monday ahead of the World Cup qualifiers and it has a familiar look

'It's nice to play in different places for the fans but when you look at the photo you think, 'What happened here?' It leaves an impression on you, it's a pitch where everyone knows the national team is going to play.'

The top four teams in the South American qualifiers after 18 rounds are completed at the end of 2017 qualify for the finals in Russia while the fifth goes into an intercontinental play-off.

Argentina coach Gerardo Martino, deprived through injury of midfielder Enzo Perez and possibly also Juventus striker Paulo Dybala, has called up Lautaro Acosta of local first division side Lanus, the AFA said on Monday.

The 28-year-old, who won the under-20 World Cup in 2007 and an Olympic soccer gold medal at the Beijing Games in 2008, earned his first senior call-up after helping Lanus beat Boca Juniors 2-0 in the Argentine league on Sunday.

Argentina coach Gerardo Martino will hope Messi can inspire his side to back-to-back World Cup qualifier wins

Lautaro Acosta has earned his first senior call-up after helping Lanus beat Boca Juniors on Sunday